Have you ever anticipated an event, got there, experienced it, knew something monumental was stirring in you throughout it but were left with just a vague impression of all that had just transpired?
Maybe I'm the only one.
In my walk with Christ, there have been times when the Lord has whispered, savor this. In the moment, I can cognitively acknowledge its preciousness but my heart hasn't quite wrapped around it. I can tell myself, okay, one day, this is going to mean something beyond what it's meaning to me right now.
In the Old Testament, the Lord had His people, the Israelites, set up memorials to remind His people of all He had done for them. You'd think they'd just remember if it was such a big deal. But, not unlike myself, they got distracted by needs, wants and a deceitful heart that would lead them astray into trusting men instead of God. They forgot how perfectly the Lord delivered them from their enemies and provided for all the needs and wants. Since He knew them and knew that would happen, He was adamant about constructing a memorial as a physical, tangible evidence of His faithfulness.
Today, I glanced down at my phone and noticed the date: May 20, 2010. Ten years ago to the day, I was a part of an event that I knew would become a memorial in my heart but, at the time, hadn't quite had my heart wrap around it. I remember thinking it would be something monumental but had no idea how the Lord would flesh it out in me personally.
Ten years later, the Lord gave me a picture: a road, not so level in some places, winding, well-beaten with monuments marking every quarter mile or so. It was as if I heard Him say, that's the way you've come, that's the life you've lived, and the monuments are distinct evidences of My faithfulness to you...see what I've done? ...see how much I love you?
May 20, 2000 was one of those days He plucked from among many to show me His faithfulness. I couldn't grasp all that He was showing me that day, but looking back I can see it went beyond one day...beyond just me. It stands now in thousands of hearts among hundreds of other memorials to proclaim God's faithfulness. He was faithful then. He is faithful now. He will be faithful forever.
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15 comments:
i flew from redding california with a friend to meet up with some more friends down there. we spent 3 days there. it was incredible!! i still will look back at what i wrote sitting on that field listening to john piper & am so thankful for the chance to be there & learn to die to myself. i will never forget it. thanks for the reminder!
This post stirs something in me that I cannot even describe! He is faithful! Passion 2005 was the same for me... turned my world upside down and set my family's life on a course to live for His Renown! Crazy how when we first started listening to Matt's podcasts we had NO IDEA he had ever been to Passion. God brought your husband's sermons into our lives at a time when we desperately needed it (again, faithful!). I heard Matt explain his Passion experience right before we left for Passion 2010. It was SO AMAZING to see young men sitting in their seats weeping after Piper's talk... knowing that God just might be stirring up another "young Matt Chandler" to make HIS NAME FAMOUS among the nations! So thankful that our paths crossed and that God has been so very faithful to show us that this is His Story! Thanks so much for shining a huge spotlight on our God Lauren!
Thank you. Thank you for the precious reminder that He is always faithful. Even when nothing makes sense.
dear Mrs. Chandler,
i wholly appreciated this post.
i stumbled upon your webpage a few days ago...sadly, i can't remember how.
i'm now off to think about the many "memorials" in my life, and go thank & talk to my saviour!
prayers & love from canada
-aban
ps: mr. chandler's deep seated desire to exalt Christ in His suffering is a continual reminder to do the same!
It was such an incredible day/weekend. Thanks for reminding me that it's been 10 years, wow. I always love wearing my shirt and someone telling me, "I was there too."
thank you for sharing. This touched my heart... you don't know me but I've come across your blog and appreciate you sharing your faith.
I love hearing about this. I love hearing about the Spirit's work--how he moves as He pleases, how He soften and lures hearts to Jesus. It seems like that day for many, was a day of self-abandonment and Christ fulfillment (legit revival of sorts).
I guess it just makes sense that an event in life and it's meaning can only be measured significant with time. Thanks so much for sharing this story. I would love to see a "Memorials Part II" :)
What is significant about this event? This date? How has that become a memorial to you?
Maybe this isn't something you feel is wise to share...but if it is ok, it would be helpful for me to know what that can actually look like.
thank you for this. i have followed your family's story on twitter and your blog and admire all of you so much. my husband and i were also at oneday on may 20, 2000. it's one of those experiences that is still hard for us to put into words, now 10 years later, but we still see the ripples of it in our lives to this day. and i know you understand that because you've lived it too. love and prayers, stephanie in albany, georgia
My friend Karen Magro attends your church, and we have been joining in prayer with all of you. I am a pastor's wife in South Louisiana and am inspired by your words, life and witness. Thank you for being who you are and for doing what you do. May God give you abundant encouragement and sustenance. Praise God for Memorials!
Lauren,
Thank you for reminding us of the way God woos us and how unworthy we are to be shown such grace and love. Thanks for reminding me to slow down long enough to hear the small voice of my Lord along the road. From one pastor's wife to another...Praying for you!
Hey Chandler Family! You guys don't know us. But just found your blog, and we wanted to say how much your ministry has blessed our family. We (well the hubs and I) have followed the podcasts for the last 5+ years and have been so blessed! We've visted The Village (pre-kids) a few times when were visiting down in your neck of the woods. Love this post. I feel like the last 3 years of my life has a "catch this...you'll see" time. He is Faithful. I want you to know you are all especially in our hearts and prayers- wish I could explain how much! Blessings.
Hannah Joy.
Hey Lauren.... you don't know me, but I wanted to get a quick message to you, and so I'm just using your latest blog entry to contact you.
All I want to really let you know is "thank you, thank you, thank you!" for your vlog entry with Matt a couple of months ago.....didja know the Lord prompted you to use Isaiah 33:6 for me alone??.....that's how it feels to me!.....I'm writing today with tears in my eyes for the blessing it has meant to me.....I was saved in 1978 while reading Isaiah 53, love the Lord with all my heart, teach Sunday School, etc......BUT I always struggle with insecurity in relationships, due to my extreme PEOPLE PLEASING personality..... I CANNOT tell you the extreme PEACE that the Lord has given me through KNOWING that HE ALONE is the stability of my times!!.....it is such a joy and comfort to know that HE IS ENOUGH!.....if I please others in the process of living my days, then that's all well and good, but HE IS MY STABILITY!!.....anyway, Lauren, a million thanks for your short message, because it has made an eternal impact, because in the knowledge I have gained from Isaiah 33:6, He has given me a FREEDOM and PEACE that I was desperate for, and I am set free now to just bless others, instead of needing them to bless me with a "perfect relationship"..... thank You Jesus!!.....really, of course I've read that verse before because I've always loved the Word of God, but it came ALIVE to me! .....how I LOVE His Word!!.......well, Lauren, I'm praying for Matt and your sweet family...... love in Christ from Teri Dufilho, Houston (you don't really need to post this message, but I didn't know any other way to contact you!)
oh, you must have been at the first One Day! I wanted to go but we were getting married the next week! I have another 'memorial' centered around a work God did in me at the Passion Conf. in Fort Worth - I think it was 99 -- I have the dvd w/ the teachings though, from this One Day and I love Piper's talk on the Holiness of God - I'll have to watch the dvd closely and see if we see our Pastor's family there!
The reading over that field of the scripture in Hebrew and English...
The sounding of the shofar...
The calling of the assembly and meaningfulness of Isa. 26:8...
The miraculous weather event that had the local news people talking about One Day...
The palpable presence of God and solemn reverence from tens of thousands of college students...
Just an unparalleled time and a wonderful memory. Thanks.
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